Team news: Shrimpers hit by flu

Last update The 18/11/2011 at 23:58 - Published on 18/11/2011 at 23:54

By PA Sport - The 18/11/2011 at 23:58

Southend manager Paul Sturrock is battling against illness and injury ahead of the league leaders' trip to struggling Essex rivals Dagenham.

A flu bug has swept through the Shrimpers camp this week and a handful of unnamed players have been affected ahead of the encounter at Victoria Road.

Sturrock is also keeping his cards close to his chest regarding those members of his squad who are struggling with niggling injuries, stating only there are "two or three who are touch and go for Saturday".

Midfielder Anthony Grant will definitely be missing as he serves the second game of a three-match ban picked up following his red card at Oxford.

It remains to be seen whether goalkeeper Glenn Morris has recovered from his thigh injury, with Daniel Bentley (back) fit again to provide back-up for Luke Daniels in last weekend`s goalless FA Cup tie at Preston.

Striker Blair Sturrock also missed the Deepdale encounter with an adductor strain and will be assessed ahead of the clash which pits high-flying Southend, who have won 11 of their unbeaten last 13, against a Dagenham side who have lost 11 of their previous 13, winning just once.

Loan signings Cristian Montano and Mickey Spillane are set to make their debuts for Dagenham.

Striker Montano and defender Spillane arrived from West Ham and Brentford respectively on Thursday and go straight into manager John Still`s reckoning.

Both are welcome arrivals at Victoria Road, and Spillane will provide timely cover at the back with Scott Doe serving the second game of his two-match ban and captain Mark Arber set to undergo a double hernia operation on Monday.

Elsewhere, strikers Gavin Tomlin (groin) and Rob Edmans (broken leg and ankle) are looking at around two and three weeks respectively before they come back into contention, but Sam Williams (knee) will not play again this season.

Kevin Maher (ankle) is still looking at a couple more weeks on the sidelines while fellow midfielder Luke Howell (knee) remains missing until around February.

Forward Josh Scott made his welcome return from lengthy injury problems as a second-half substitute in last weekend`s 1-1 FA Cup draw at home to non-league Bath City.